Some may think beauty stores are nothing more than places for the most savvy of shoppers. But when an unexpected incident occurs, such as one involving fire damage, this ring true to all those who own or run beauty stores.
Fire legal liability/damage to rented premises insurance is a great way for beauty retailers to protect themselves from risks and liabilities associated with incidents involving fire. Before any fire safety measures can be put into effect, it helps to understand the kind of physical toll a fire can cause to a beauty store’s property.
For beauty stores, packaging is everything. From the aisle display, to the product sample, you name it-packaging barely leaves anything to be desired. If a fire were to ever occur, it would highly likely hurt the store’s image, as well as any physical components – including packaging – related to its products.
Any accidental fire damage is liable to affect a store’s stock and equipment, as it is the first place to go up in flames. Lighting and shelving are two other areas that can be victims to a fire at any beauty store.
As stated earlier, packaging is vital for beauty stores to showcase their products to customers. If fire were to damage any beauty item, it would diminish the value of the item, especially if they’re burned beyond recognition.
Likely the most comprehensive fire legal liability/damage to rented premises legal is covered by business owners insurance. This type of coverage would provide stores in the beauty industry all-around protection against loss from fire damage.
For many beauty store owners, leasing commercial space is far more logical than owning real estate outright. When a lease is signed, tenants should keep in mind the legal responsibilities both the landlord and leaseholder have in regards to fire safety.
Lease agreements usually state how tenants are responsible for repairing any damage caused to the building they occupy. This also means that a store owner is responsible for all fire safety measures.
And since most beauty stores contain some type of automated system, they should ensure they have working smoke alarms and fire extinguishers in place.
Building owners have a duty to tenants and anyone else that enters the building to maintain fire codes and regulations. If public safety is compromised, the building owner can be held legally liable.
As such, landlords responsible for building maintenance are legally liable for any damages that tenants encounter due directly to default in maintenance. For example, a property owner being legally liable for a fire is held to the same standards imposed on insurance companies regarding coverage. If a fire occurs, an owner could very well face litigation from its tenants.
Perhaps the biggest stake beauty retailers have when it comes to a fire at their locations is the loss or damage of inventory. In addition to foregoing valuable assets such as merchandise and items on display, beauty stores also lose money by having to close and undergo fire-related repairs.
Following a fire incident, beauty businesses should adopt the habit of carefully documenting their loss to send to their insurance company. This should include taking photographs of items that have been damaged and destroyed by fire and completing an inventory list that describes any damage in detail.
Another method beauty stores can use to guard against sudden impacts caused by fire is to hold an emergency drill for employees. When an emergency situation arises, having procedures for evacuating customers and containing a fire in place can help to preserve merchandise.
Product storage and display techniques employed by beauty store owners should also always follow good practices. It is likely for most retailers to have their valuable products visible to customers – they may then, however, be exposed to fire damage. Moving displays away from walls, limiting combustible materials, and keeping aisles clear of obstructions are just a few ways to protect business assets.
Fire safety has become an essential aspect for many beauty retailers today. From the lease agreement to holdover provisions, to the legal liabilities that come into play, beauty stores face a pretty big risk without adequate fire safety measures and protocols in place.
At this time, the threat of fire-related events affecting beauty retailers may be high, but there are some steps store owners can take to reduce the risk somewhat. For more information on fire safety regulations, you can visit OSHA’s Fire Safety page.
